Bike Maintenance Checklist

Check Tires for Cuts and Wear

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Deflate the tube to about half its pressure, so the tire is still shaped but pliable. Roatating the wheel in the frame, manipulate the tire with your hands to expose cuts in the sidewalls or tread. If you find any that go either entirely through the tire, or are deep enough to make you anxious, replace the tire. Rule of thumb for mountain tires: If five or more treads are ripped away, the tire is ready to fail systemically and should be replaced if you want to avoid lots of flats.